No secret to Wagner's success at Delaware Valley

WESTFALL, Pa. — The running joke around the Delaware Valley (Pa.) High football team is that its practices have a college feel.

Sal Interdonato

WESTFALL, Pa. — The running joke around the Delaware Valley (Pa.) High football team is that its practices have a college feel.

Players start by lining up in position groups during the team's afternoon session of two-a-days. Each group runs through six different circuits focused on fundamentals.

A solid hour of offensive and defensive team work follows.

Practices end with gassers, a conditioning run. Delaware Valley players must complete 10 pushups or squats between each lap.

Coach Keith Olsommer, a former tight end for Joe Paterno at Penn State, doesn't have to worry about the shape of senior Matt Wagner.

Wagner, the team's starting linebacker and fullback, is also one of Pennsylvania's top wrestlers.

"His workouts are tough," said senior quarterback Brett Cohen. "He's a lot bigger and stronger than I am. But, he's always putting up a challenge for me in the weight room."

Last season, Wagner set a school record with 128 tackles. He also won his second District 2 wrestling title and has 105 victories in his first three varsity seasons.

Does Wagner get more of a rush making the big hit on a running back or pinning his opponent on the mat?

"They are both great sports," said Wagner, who is 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds entering his third season as a starter. "I can't really decide on one. I'm getting (college) looks for both. I just need to decide which one I want to do. That's the big question."

Wagner made an unofficial visit to Air Force three weeks ago and spoke with football coach Troy Calhoun and wrestling coach Sam Barber. Cornell has also showed interest in Wagner for football. Wagner's older brother, Brad, was a three-year starting guard (2011-13) for the Big Red.

"There's no secret to his success," Olsommer said. "He wrestles a lot, which keeps him in great shape. Matt is a quiet kid. He goes about his business and leads by example. He's worked hard to play at a high level the next four years. He's going to have an opportunity to play at a high level as a football player or wrestler."

Delaware Valley's 4-3 defense is designed for its inside linebacker to make plays. Wagner must shed the blocks of offensive linemen or fullbacks to get to the ball and play sideline-to-sideline against option plays.

"It definitely keeps me busy," Wagner said. "My first year starting, it was a little bit slower. Now it's become instinctive."

Delaware Valley's front seven should be the strength of the team this season. The Warriors return four starting defensive linemen — Connor Lutz, Quinn Decker, A.J. Sieber and Austin Cernek.

Delaware Valley won six of its last eight games last season and defeated Nazareth 35-28 for the Eastern Conference Division IV title.

"We have a lot of momentum coming off of last year and winning the Eastern Conference finals," Wagner said. "We are looking to make a run in the districts and the district finals and the playoffs."

sinterdonato@th-record.com

Angelo Matz

Senior linebacker

5-foot-9, 170 pounds

“I like to hit. I like the physicality. There's no better feeling than making a big hit and having your teammates cheering for you.”

Cole Acoveno

Senior wide receiver

6-2, 170

“I like using my athletic ability, speed and jumping ability. I like making the big plays and catches. I actually enjoy blocking a lot. You are the unsung hero of the play.”

Quinn Decker

Senior nose guard

5-10, 240

“I'm at the point of attack. I lot of people think it's the hardest position to play. I think it's the easiest. You are in front of the ball and all you have to do is attack the center.”

Adam Tidridge

Senior center

5-8, 210

“You get to lead your men in the trenches. You are the main man on the offensive line. You get to call everyone into the huddle. It's an important position on the field and you have to be smart and physical tough.”